Airline Operators to Cancel Scheduled Flights

Nigerian airline operators under the aegis of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON) have said the scarcity of aviation fuel could disrupt scheduled flight operations.

AON disclosed in a statement titled  ‘Public notice: Disruptions in-flight operations’ and signed by Prof. Obiora, spokesman of the association.

In the statement, airline operators complained that the persistent scarcity of aviation fuel would lead to the cancellation or rescheduling of flights.

It should be recalled that last week, Investors King reported that the association suspended its planned strike after Federal Government intervened and ordered the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to supply 6 million litres of aviation fuel to oil marketers of airline operators.

However, a week later the association is back to where it began a few weeks ago. In the statement released on Monday, AON alerted the public to impending flight disruptions and possible cancellations.

The statement read, “The Airline Operators of Nigeria wish to alert the public of impending disruptions to scheduled flight operations of members of the association. This development is being forced on members by the growing scarcity of aviation fuel popular as Jet-Al.

“The scarcity is impacting negatively on the seamless conduct of air transport operations and would lead to flight rescheduling, and, or, cancellations.

“However, the association and its members are working very hard, and in alliance with product marketers, government and relevant stakeholders, to ensure availability and proper pricing of aviation fuel in the country.

“While pleading the understanding of the flying public in the face of this reality, we also promise to do all that is necessary, and within our powers, to restore normal flight schedules as soon as possible.”